Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

·         Mild Disabilities:  Because mild disabilities include learning disabilities, serious emotional disabilities, and mental retardation assistive technology could be as simple as using materials and resources that develop reading, writing, and mathematical skills.  These assistive technologies would include software such as Jump Start Kindergarten to improve reading skills, Dragon’s Naturally Speaking to improve writing skills, and Math Racer to improve mathematical skills.  The use of a calculator, Quicktionary Reading Pen, and a NEO Writer could be used as hardware assistive technology. 

·         Moderate and Severe Disabilities: Students with moderate and severe disabilities need to acquire daily living and functioning skills such as personal hygiene, shopping, and use of public transportation.  Software such as Time, Money, & Fractions On-Track can be provided as a tool to enhance these disabilities.  The use of an alternative keyboard such as Intellikeys can assist students with moderate to server disabilities. 

·         Physical Disabilities:  These types of disabilities include mobility issues.  Assistive technology that can be used in the classroom would include power wheelchair operated by a joystick and the use of switches which are used for controlling and getting input to the computer.  A software tool that can be used to assist students with physical disabilities would be Intellikeys. 

·         Sensory Disabilities:  This type of disability involves the loss of hearing and vision. Assistive technology for the blind that can be used is a cane, tools to convert printed information for students, and screen readers that are used to read any text that appears on the computer.  Assistive technology for the partially blind would include closed circuit television to magnify printed information and for the deaf would include FM amplifications systems that would involve a teacher wearing a wireless microphone to amplify the teacher’s voice and serve to focus attention.  Some software that could be used as assistive technology for sensory disabilities would include Scan and Read Pro, Super Nova Screen Reader, and, JAWS.

·         At-risk Behaviors/Situations: Students who are at-risk are students who aren’t necessarily considered disabled, but their low performance in school parallels to students with disabilities because of their learning disabilities.  Some software assistive technology would include reminder services (http://www.iping.com) for students who have difficulty remembering their tasks.   For students who have difficulty reading at their grade level,  Read Please, a text-to-speech programs, provides digital text.  Online calculators and virtual math manipulatives are available for students who have difficulty in mathematics. 

·         Gifts and Talents: Students who are talented or gifted show high achievement in areas such as intellectual, creativity, and leadership capacity.  Teachers need to ensure that these students receive services and activities that they would not normally receive at school.   Some software that could be used for gifted students would be GeoThentic and Alien Rescue.  Some hardware that could be used for gifted students would be podcasts to multimedia projects. 

References:

      Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, Aaron H. (2013). Intergrating Educational Technology into Teaching. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc

 

Check out this website on classroom assistive technology- http://t.co/QG2V0fY6oY - #ED5059413UWA
— Latricia Bright (@LatriciaBright1) July 16, 2013